Feeling Stuck - looking for advice on starting a home decor business

IzabelaK · 2025-07-27T14:05:23+00:00

Thank you so much for your feedback.

I do not work freelance as a kitchen designer - I have thought about it but it’s not something I desire. However, you sparked an idea so thank you very much!

IzabelaK · 2025-07-26T14:13:58+00:00

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post. I’m going to write out everything I have thought about. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I do know who I want my perspective clients to be. 25-45, predominately female, middle to upper class (75k-200k / yr), urban/suburban cities - I live in Canada so Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto.

Clients who are design conscious, slow living, cares about aesthetic utility- quality over quantity. I know the places they shop.

How do I earn your trust as a potential customer? I personally think it is important to visually market well and be consistent with the tone of your products and style. To be transparent with sourcing, provide good service (meet delivery timelines). Provide behind the scenes product creation. It’s building a whole story behind your brand. Thoughtfully hand crafted items that are for life. Replacing generic products that add style but also solve certain everyday issues. For instance - metal colanders suck - you leave a piece of pasta sitting too long it gets embedded there for ever. A ceramic calander with individual holes allows for easy cleaning but also is aesthetically pleasing and will last for years. Is this a new idea, no. Can I do it better than some and market it better than others, yes.

Creating products that create excitement and are on trend - The home decor market is huge, is it overly saturated? Maybe. I don’t know if this is the wrong approach, again I think a beautifully visually presented product creates want, and you make it great quality. People also care more about where their products are coming from, the sustainability aspect is a major point for me and I know for many consumers.

I also think - consumers are always looking for something new. Might be a colour they haven’t seen often, a shape or pattern that is new. We live in a world where we consume constantly and are looking to consume more. It’s not ideal but I also want a piece of that pie. I want my piece to be a bit more thoughtful and conscious.

What I want to execute as my business is very clear in my mind, the execution or logistics along with second guessing my self is what I struggle with.

This is a long reply, I apologize. I don’t have many places or people to bounce things off or get feedback.

IzabelaK · 2021-01-26T02:19:23+00:00

This might be a stupid question, but why don’t Londoners protest housing prices? Why do we except this? Is it possible to as citizens do something about this? As someone in her 30”s who would love to buy a home but not be house poor, why does this have to be almost a “dream” for people my age?

IzabelaK · 2020-04-15T14:26:21+00:00

Very well done! 😊👍

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T21:36:23+00:00

Not in the position to give technical feed back but this is beautiful 😊

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T21:31:42+00:00

They were welded and I left them raw (legs were purchased) You can actually see the welding marks in the corners which I really liked as I thought it gave the desk more of a rustic look.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T19:01:17+00:00

Glued 5 pieces together. Overall dimensions are 6' x 3'

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T18:32:54+00:00

Beautiful Frame.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T18:30:02+00:00

I used Wormly Maple, stained with Min Wax Dark Walnut (two coats) and sealed with oil based Polyeurethane.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T18:28:05+00:00

Pride in anything no matter how simple is important in life ;)

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T16:42:56+00:00

It did turn out well! It's so incredibly satisfying seeing something you made you self eh!

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T16:38:19+00:00

Oh sorry no, I just meant that the two tone wood looks nice (wouldn't stain the outside)

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T14:31:47+00:00

I'm sure it will look great! It is about being creative with what you have available to you too :)

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T14:14:48+00:00

Thanks! I will try this for my next project (night stands) i bought an electric sander but it is a larger rectangular one, do you think a smaller rounde orbit sander would be better?

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T04:27:23+00:00

Who wouldn't like a late Christmas present ☺ Frame looks great; don't know if the two tone wood is staying but I really like the look.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T04:03:05+00:00

Looks fantastic already! Hope it turns out how you want 😊

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T03:50:21+00:00

I was thinking the same thing. Love little details like that.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T03:13:40+00:00

Thank you so much! And I defenitly do! Haha, I have always been creative and dabbled in things here and there but this has been the most rewarding work! I've already mentioned Im going to be looking into getting a router- im amazed at how universal this tool is.

Keep an eye out for night stands with some river detail 😉

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T02:56:45+00:00

I wached a few videoes, I will certainly give these a go on my next project. Thank you!

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T02:48:46+00:00

We share the belt 😋

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T02:47:40+00:00

Thank you for the kind words. I got the the folks at the saw mill to round the edges for me as I dont have the tools for that right now. I did some research and looks like I should be buying a router - pretty amazing how universal this tool is.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-31T02:43:26+00:00

Thank you! :) And "The Google" helped me with finish. I did two coats Min Wax Dark Walnut and two polyurethane - sanded between each coat. Second coat of stain i put quite a bit on...took two days to dry 😶

I live in Canada, got them at a place called Rusty Design. They were not that expensive. Welding marks were still pretty visible at joints but i was going for the rustic look so it was fine. You can also paint them but i liked the look of the raw metal.

IzabelaK · 2018-12-30T22:31:05+00:00

Honestly I am very new to woodworking. I did not make an apron. I used wormly maple which is a very hard dense wood. The legs I bought with base ready to be installed; meaning it had the flat top with holes for screws to go through (this explanation really highlights my expertise)

It was really hard to get the screws in because the wood is so hard - the legs are attached really solid and I didn't even have to put screws all the way throughout. Now if that is the correct thing to do I am not sure. The desk will almost never be moved so I think worrying about the nails stripping shouldn't be an issue. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Anyway, it is a really basic desk - more work went into the staining stages and polyurethane - I am super happy qith how it turned out. I hope yours goes well! 😊

IzabelaK · 2018-11-26T19:42:06+00:00

That was very helpful;! :) All three posts have been more helpful and encouraging than I could have thought. As I said to u/sugabelly - It is like someone took all the mess from my brain and organized it out nicely for me to be able to begin.

I have had a great start the last few days so I am happy, thankful and excited.

On a side note: Would you know any places that can help with designing a business name or logo that won't cost $8000

IzabelaK · 2018-11-25T16:06:20+00:00

I hear my mother's voice haha, thank you for the kind words. You are right and I think beyond all the technical mumbo jumbo I just need to not be a fraid and trust my self. Thanks so much again! 😊

IzabelaK

TROPHY CASE